Who Are We
We are a team of researchers, scholars, and professionals committed to studying death, dying, and bereavement. Each of us brings unique expertise—from psychology and sociology to healthcare and ethics—to explore the many dimensions of end-of-life experiences. Together, we aim to advance knowledge, support those affected by loss, and foster open conversations about mortality.
Dr. Anisah Bagasra
Dr. Anisah Bagasra is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science. Dr. Bagasra specializes in behavioral health research in the Muslim American and African American faith communities. She teaches a wide range of psychology courses and mentors students engaged in undergraduate research with a focus on culturally competent research in minority communities. Specific research interests include Islamic Psychology, the impact of Islamophobia, teaching Death & Dying, and perceptions of mental illness. Her recent publications include three edited volumes, “Working with Muslim Clients in the Helping Professions”, and “The Changing Faces of Higher Education: From Boomers to Millennials” and ‘The Impact of HBCUs in the 21st Century’. She also conducts CE workshops in the area of religious and spiritual competencies for psychologists, conflict resolution, and community-based research. Current research within the field of death and dying focuses on knowledge and perceptions of advance care planning, and death anxiety among college students.
Sha Huang (黄莎)
Sha Huang is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Asian Studies Program at Kennesaw State University. An interdisciplinary scholar, poet, and artist, her work bridges language education, cultural studies, art, and mental health. Her recent research explores the intersection of mental health and creative expression. She is currently working on two collaborative projects: Breaking the Silence: Digital Narratives of Trauma Among Immigrant and Refugee Women from the Global South (forthcoming from IGI Global) and Healing Through Art: Exploring Processes, Challenges, and Impact of Creative Group Interventions in Trauma Recovery. Through her scholarship and creative practice, she seeks to illuminate the transformative role of storytelling and the arts in healing and resilience.
Dr. Lacey J. Ritter
Dr. Lacey J. Ritter is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Department Chair of Health Programs at Mount Mercy University in Iowa. Dr. Ritter's research spans numerous facets of sociology and health, including sexualities; young adulthood; teaching practices; religion; end-of-life health care practices; and what death teaches us about our sense of 'self'. Recent relevant research publications include analyses of students' bucket list items in death and dying courses and work on cultural competency in health care for dying Muslim patients as part of a larger analysis of the need for cultural competency among health professionals providing end-of-life patient care. The role of social institutions and cultural influences on death and dying are of primary interest, as well as the social stigma attached to death work and the larger death system.
Dr. Sharon Richards
Dr. Sharon Richards, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Claflin University, holds a PhD in Educational Psychology, an MS in I/O Psychology, and a BA in Psychology. With over five years at Claflin, she's made significant contributions as an academic advisor, teacher of various psychology courses, committee member, and leader of the Job Search Committee. Her teaching portfolio includes courses in Developmental Psychology, Adult Development, Cognition, Personality Theories, I/O Psychology, and more. Dr. Richards is also an active mentor, supervising undergraduate research and guiding honors thesis committees. Her dedication to both her students and Claflin University is evident in her diverse roles and commitment to academic excellence. Her research area interests include navigating aging and end of life issues in African American communities.
Dr. Greensmith
Dr. Greensmith is a licensed social worker in Georgia currently pursuing clinical licensure, combining academic expertise with trauma-informed clinical practice. With a specialized focus on grief, loss, and bereavement, Dr. Greensmith provides compassionate care and conducts research that seeks to understand and address the multifaceted experiences of those navigating profound loss. Dr. Greensmith’s work emphasizes social justice and inclusive approaches to support marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals, through the challenges of identity, grief, and trauma. Dr. Greensmith’s leadership extends to interdisciplinary projects that explore innovative, community-based approaches to supporting those experiencing loss.
With advanced training in trauma-focused modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Dr. Greensmith integrates evidence-based practices to help individuals process grief and build resilience. Through their teaching, research, and clinical practice, Dr. Greensmith remain committed to creating supportive, inclusive spaces for those navigating the complexities of grief, loss, and healing.
Dr. Lei Zhang
Dr. Lei Zhang is an interdisciplinary human-computer interaction (HCI) researcher and assistant professor of game design and development at Kennesaw State University. His research focuses on several areas: 1. The application of digital storytelling and mixed reality (MR) technologies (AR/VR) to promote STEM education and learning of complex science concepts. 2. The use of XR (AR/VR/MR) technologies to improve the quality of life in children with rare diseases (e.g. pediatric cancer, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), etc.) and provide support for their families (e.g. bereavement and grief therapies). His research in this area explores how XR technologies can provide pain distractions and build virtual connectedness in pediatric patients. 3. The design of novel and intuitive 3D user interfaces to support immersive learning and therapeutic experiences in those applications.
Dr. Mahmoodi
Dr. Mahmoodi is an Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City. She provides clinical care to women throughout the reproductive lifespan as part of the Women’s and Reproductive Mental Health (WARM) Program. In addition, she is a Whitaker Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Scholar, with research focused on trajectories of prenatal depressive symptoms and perinatal neurodevelopment. At Teachers College, Columbia University, as adjunct faculty, Dr. Mahmoodi teaches several graduate level courses and mentors students in her small lab group focused on Muslim perinatal mental health. Dr. Mahmoodi earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in California, specializing in women’s neuroscience and reproductive health through a collaboration with Stanford University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she focused on trauma treatment in children and adults, as well as psychiatric inpatient care.